Washing machine



June 20), 1933.. G. w. DUNHAM WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed NOV.9', 1928 I1XEN TOR.

A TTORN E Y O 0 I 4 0 Y 0 O O O O O W June 2@, M33. (5. w. DUNHAMWASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 9, 1928 muni'l" @NTOR.

ATTORNEY v Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE W.DUNHAM, OF NEW AVEN, CONNECTICUT, assrenonro THE WHIRLDRY I CORPORATION,OF NEW Haven, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK WASHING MACHINEApplication filed November 9, 1928. Serial No. 818,177.

The invention relates in general to laundry machines, and moreparticularly to a washing machine of the centrifugal drying ty e.

according to one form of the invention the machine comprises an outercontainer or tank supporting suitable driving devices. Projectingupwardly from the bottom of the tank is a hollow pedestal upon which ismounted the hub of a laundry receptacle. Disposed within the hollowpedestal is a pair of concentric shafts, one of which has impartedthereto by the driving devices an oscillatory motion for washing, andthe other a continuous rotary motion for centrifugal drying. Suitableclutching devices are pros vided at the top of the hub for selectivelyconnecting the receptacle to the shafts without the interposition of anyseparate movable members.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invent-ion willbe particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself,

as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and themanner of its organization may be better understood by referring to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of the machinewith parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. .1 through theclutch showing the receptable at its lower or washing position;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the receptacle at its upperor drying position; and

Fig. 4 is a plan section of the clutch taken 0 on the line 4-4 of Fig.3.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identifiedby specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be asgeneric in theirapplication to similar partsas the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, apractical commercial embodiment of the invention is shown, but as suchillustration is primarily for purposes of disclosure, it will beunderstood that the structure may be modified in various respectswithout departure from the broadspirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter defined'and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, thelaundry machine comprises in general acontainer or tank 1 having a pair of handles 2 and a cover 3 removablyfitting on the top of the tank. The tank is supported by a base ring 4which encloses thedrive motor 5 and gear box 6 which latter aresuspended from the bottom 10 of the tank. Secured to the center of thetank in a center opening is a fitting 11 to which is secured anlipstanding hollow pedestal 59. Disposed within the hollow pedestal is apair of concentric shafts 57 and 58 box 6. The tubular shaft 58 hasimparted I thereto an oscillatory rotary motion for washing and thesolid shaft 57 has imparted thereto a continuous rotary motion forcentrifugal drying.

Journalled on the hollow pedestal is a receptacle 7 having paddles orblades 8 therein for aiding in agitatingthe laundry. The receptaclecomprises a foraminous outer wall 105, a solid bottom wall 106, a hub107, and guard ring 108. Thesemembers may be made of sheet metal and maybe connected together in any of the well known ways for connecting sheetmembers such as simple lap joints, double lock joints, welding, etc.

It will be understood that the details of. construction of the gearingin the gear box, the mounting of the motor, stabilizing support for thetank and the construction of the receptacle are omitted for the sake ofclearness, these constructions bein disclosed at length in priorapplication gerial No. 308,316 filed Sept. 25,1928.

.The upper end of the pedestal 59 is provided with a bearing sleeve 101(Figs. 2

driven by the gearing in the gear and 3) for the upper end of thetubular shaft 58 and the inside of the tubular shaft has a bearingsleeve102 for the upper end of the solid shaft 57.- Near the lower end I5 of thespedestal 59 there is provided a bearing sleeve 103 havinglongitudinal grooves to prevent trapping of water inside the hub 107. IThe upper end of the pedestal has a conical ring 104'which does not bearagainst 10 the hub of the receptacle for either washing or drying butwhich assists positioning the receptacle on the pedestal when it isreplaced after removal; for cleaning or other purposes. f v

For selectively connecting the receptacle to the drive shafts 57 and 58a clutch construction is provided. The upper end of the tubular shaft 58'is provided with splines 111 and a groove in which a lock ring 112 issprung. The upper. end of the solid this sleeve having splines 11 1 thesame ra- -dial dimensions as the splines 111. The upper end of the hub107 is provided with a sleeve-like fitting 115 having splines 215 whichselectively engage the splines 111 and 114. This fitting has a recess inwhich is 2 disposed a ringllG. This ring has secured 3-0 thereto a pushbutton 117 projecting out through a hole in the sleeve member 115 and inthe hub 107. The sleeve member is provided with a second hole,in wliichis dis-- posed a coil spring. 118 actlng between the ring 116 and thehub 107. A cover 119 having a recess to accommodate the splines 114 fitsin the sleeve 115, is keyed thereto, and is provided, with a pair ofguides 120 on its lower edge to guide the ring 116 in a directionparallel to the direction of the push button and spring. A suitablelocking ring 121 is sprung in a grooveiin the sleeve 115 to hold thecover 119 in position. It will be noted that the splines 111 are longenough to engage the ring 116 when the receptacle is connected to thetubular shaft, thus avoiding rubbing contact between the ring 116 andthe sleeve 113.

It will be seen that in the position shown in Fig. 2'tl1e receptacle isconnected to the tubular shaft for washing and in the position shown inFig. 3 it is connected to the solid shaft for drying. The tubular shaftis provided with a guard ring or washer 122 overhanging the pedestal toprevent water from accidentally getting down hetween the tubular-shaftand pedestal.

It will be noted from Figs. 2 and '3 that the lock ring 112 constitutesan abutment against which the sleeve 115 rests when receptacle is in thewashing position, and

that the upper end of inner shaft 57 constitutes an abutment againstwhich the ring 116 rests when the receptacle is in the dryposition.

-- Trom the above it will be seen that, when the v loose or movablemembers. In other words,

all parts necessary to secure connection from one of the drive shafts tothe receptacle are.

either unitary with the drive shaft or with the receptacle. The hub 107and Concentric shafts 57 and58 are coaxial. Therefore to shift from thewashing to the drying position it is only necessary to shift thereceptacle 7 bodily, axially. Furthermore, it will be seen that thereceptacle is journalled on but one bearing 103 located on the pedestalnear thebottom thtereof and is supported at its other end on the shaftto which it is selectively connected.

To use the machine the tank is filled with water and the receptacle withthe articles to be washed. The clutch is set to connect the tubularshaft to the receptacle. The oscillatory rotary motion of the tubularshaft is imparted to the receptacle and the clothes are washed. To drythe. clothes the water is drained from the tank and the receptacle israised and connected to the inner shaft. The continuous rotary motion ofthis shaft imparts a similar motion to the receptacle and the clothesare dried.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in theforms and details of the device illustrated and in its 0 eration inay bemade by those skilled in t e art without departing fromthe spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a laundry machine, a tank, a hollow pedestal in said tank, atubular shaft in said pedestal having a bearing surface engaging theupper end of said pedestal, aninner shaft in said tubular shaft having abearing surface. engaging the upper end of said tubular shaft, eachshaft having a set of splines, said sets being axially spaced and ofequal transverse dimension, a bearing sleeve secured around the lowerpart of said pedestal, a laundry receptacle having 1 an upstanding hub,said hub having a sleeve at its upper end having splines to selectivelyengage sald first spllnes, said hub hav ng an inner bearing surface toengage said bear-- mg sleeve, and means for imparting different motionsto said shafts.

2. In a laundry machine, a tank, a hollow pedestal in said tank, atubular shaft in said pedestal having a bearing surface engaging theupper end of said pedestal, an

pedestal and having axial grooves, a centering ring having a conicalsurface secured to the outer face of the upper end of said pedestal, awasher secured to said tubular shaft and overhanging the upper end ofsaid pedestal, a laundry receptacle having an upstanding hub,saidhubhaving a sleeve at its upper-end having splines to selectivelyengage said first splines, said hub having an inner bearing surface toengage said bearing sleeve, and means "for imparting different motionsto said shafts.

3. In an apparatus of the "character disclosed, a hollow support,rotatable concentric shafts within said support, each of said shaftshaving a non-circular portion, a driv,- en element comprising ahollowmember surrounding said support and slidable thereon,

said member having a-cooperating non-cir' cular portion for selectiveengagement with said first-mentioned non-circular portions,

said shafts having abutments transverse of their axes, means supportingaxlally said driven element on said abutments when engaged selectivelywith said shafts, and, means for imparting different motions to saidshafts.

4. In a machine of the character described, a pedestal, aplurality-ofconcentric shafts having independent movements, within saidpedestal, an article-receiving receptacle, means whereby said receptacleat one part thereof, when axially moved, may se lectively engage one orthe other of said shafts for both lateral and axial support,

and means whereby said receptacle also has,

.both lateral and vertical support, said hub having bearing on saidpedestal near the lower end of said hub. and means' for im partingmotions to said shafts.

'6. In'a washing'machine, a tank, an upstanding hollow pedestal in saidtank, a plurality of concentric shafts in said pedestal, anarticle-receiving receptaclehaving an upstanding hub, means whereby saidhub when axially moved may selectively engage one or the other of saidshafts for both lateral andvertical support, saidhub having bearing onsaid pedestal near the lower end of said hub, and means for impartingdifferent motions to said shafts.

7. In a laundrymachine, a tank, a hollow pedestal disposed in said tank,concentric shafts in said pedestal, a sleeve on the inner shaft, saidsleeve and outer shaft each having splines of the sametransverse'dimension,

but spaced from each other, a clothes receptacle having an upstandinghub, a second sleeve secured in said hub and having splines adapted toengage selectively with either of said first mentioned splines, an

abutment on said outer shaft at the lower end of the splines thereon,said second sleeve having a recess and diametrically opposed openings, amovable lock ring 111 said recess, a spring in one of said openingsbetween said ring and hub, a push button in the other of said openingsand secured to S3.l Ll .1'lllg, t1 cap fitting in said sleeve to confinesaid ring, depending guides for said ring secured to said cap, a lockWire disposed 1n a groove in said sleeve to hold said cap in position,whereby said lock ring.

may engage the upper end of said inner shaft to connect said inner shaftand receptacle and may surround said shafts when said outer shaft isconnected to said receptacle.

8. In a laundry machine, a tank, a hollow pedestal disposed in saidtank, concentric shafts in said pedestal, a sleeve on the inner shaft,said sleeve and outer shaft each having splines of the same transversedimension, but spaced from each other, a clothes receptacle having anupstanding hub, a second sleeve secured in said hub and having splinesadapted to engage selectively with either of said first-mentionedsplines, an abutment on said outer shaft at the lower end of the splinesthereon, said sccondsloeve having a prlecess and diametrically opposedopenings, i movable lock ring in said recess, a spring in one of saidopenings between said ring andhub, a push button in the other of saidopenings and secured to said ring, vwhereby said lock ring may (n-- gagethe upper end of said inner shaft to connect said inner shaft andreceptacle and may surround said shafts when said outer.

shaft is connected to said receptacle.

9. In a laundry machine, a tank, a hollow pedestal disposed in saidtank, concentric shafts in said pedestal, said inner andoutcr shaftseach having splines ofthe same transverse dimension, but spaced fromeach other; a clothes receptacle having an upstanding hub, said hubhaving splines adapted to engage selectively with said first-mentionedsplines, an abutment on said outer shaft at the lower end of the splinesthereon, said hub having a recess and diametrically opposed openings, alock ring in said recess; a spring in one of said openings, a pushbutton in the other of said openings and secured to said ring, wherebysaid lock ring may engage the upper end of said inner shaft to'connectsaid inner shaft and receptacle and may surround said shafts when saidouter shaft is connected to said receptacle. s

10. In a combined clothes washing machine and centrifugal extractor, acontinuously rotating, machine element, an oscillatory machine elementcoaxial with said continuously rotating machine element a clothesbasket, first clutch meansbetween said basket and said rotating machineelement, second clutch means between said basket and said oscillatorymachine element,

vand means for selectively engaging said clutch means by axially andbodily shifting said clothes basket.

11. In a laundry machine, a tank, a receptacle journalled on said tankand having a vertical rotary member secured thereto, a gear box undersaid tank, a continuously rotating shaft and an oscillatory rotary shait driven from said gear box, said shafts and rotary member all beingcoaxial clutch elements connected to each of said shafts, and rotarymember, the clutch elements on said drive shafts being spaced axially,said receptacle and the'clutch elements on said rotary memberbeingshiftable axially to selectively engage the clutch elements on saiddrive shafts for washing and drying operations, respectively.

12. In a combined washing and drying machine, a pair of coaxial rotarymachine elements, means for imparting a continuous rotary motion to oneof said elements for drying purposes, means for imparting an oscillatoryrotary motion to the other of said elements for washing purposes, aclothes basket, clutch devices fixedly secured to said rotary machineelements respectively, cooperating clutch devices fixedly secured tosaid basket, and means whereby the clutch devices on said basket may beselectively and directly engaged with said first mentioned clutchdevices by axially shifting said basket with respect to said elements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE W. DUNHAM.

